6^ PENTANDRIA-DIGYNIA. Cicuta. 



pale, depressed base, subsequently still more dilated, and crown- 

 ing the oblong-ovate /r«i<, being tipped with the scarcely elon- 

 gated stijles and spreading blunt siigmas. Seeds oblong, strongly 

 ribbed, with small intermediate ribs alternate with the 3 princi- 

 pal ones. 



The whole herb is slightly aromatic ; the seeds more pungent. 



1 have been anxious to preserve the natural genus of Sison, which 

 Linnaeus had the skill to detect, and, according to his principles, 

 to define. The fructification accurately examined will, I trust, 

 suffice to distinguish it ; if not, the first species must be removed 

 to Sium, where many authors have placed it, and with the se 

 cond species of which, angustifoUum, its fruit too nearly accords 

 unless that species should be made a Sison, which is not advisa- 

 ble. In either case Sison segetum must remain ; and, if I mis- 

 take not, the exotic S. Ammi, whose seeds likewise have inter- 

 mediate ribs. 



149. CICUTA. Cowbane. 



Linn. Gen. 141. R.Br. 322. Spreng. Prodi: 19- 

 Cicutaria. Juss.22l. Lam. t. 195. 



Fl, uniform, perfect, and nearly regular. Cal. superior, of 

 5 broad, acute, somev/hat unequal, permanent leaves. 

 Pet. 5, ovate, or slightly heart-shaped, with an incurved 

 point, all nearly equal. Filam. thread-shaped, spreading, 

 about as long as the corolla. Anth. roundish. Germ, in- 

 ferior, hemispjierical, compressed, ribbed. Styles thread- 

 shaped, short, erect, scarcely tumid at the base ; subse- 

 quently elongated, spreading, and permanent. Stigmas ob- 

 tuse, almost capitate. Floral Receptacle depressed, wither- 

 ing. Fruit nearly orbicular, heart-shaped at the base, a 

 little compressed, crowned with the permanent calyx con- 

 cealing the fl. receptacle, and with the recurved elongated 

 styles. Seeds hemispherical, tumid, each with 3 double 

 dorsal ribs ; their Juncture contracted. 



Perennial, fetid, poisonous, aquatic herbs. Leaves once or 

 twice ternate, sharply serrated, pointed, smooth. Umbels 

 lateral and terminal, large, with numerous general and 

 partial rays. Bracteas linear ; the general ones few, or 

 none. Fl. numerous, white. Fruit rather small. 



1. C. virosa. Water Cowbane. Water Hemlock. 



Leaves twice ternate ; leaflets linear-lanceolate, decurrent. 



C. virosa. Linn. Sp. PL 366. Willd.v.l. 1445. FLBr.322. Engl. 

 Bot.v.7.t.479. Woodv. Suppl. t.268. Hook. Scot. 92. Fl.Dan. 

 t. 208. Gunn. Norveg. p. 1. 26. t. 2. 



